Report: Broncos Sign Veteran LB Andre Smith

Smith spent the 2023 season with the Atlanta Falcons.

Aug 20, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Andre Smith (9) tries to chase down Denver Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien (4) in the fourth quarter of a pre-season game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports / Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Broncos made a post-minicamp addition to its offseason roster, signing veteran linebacker Andre Smith, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Thursday.

9NEWS' Mike Klis confirmed the transaction, noting that Smith earned his deal following a two-day tryout this week.

LB Andre Smith won the audition. Special teams linebacker had two-day minicamp tryout with Broncos this week and per source he's signing with team today as @Schultz_Report reported.
7-year LB has played for Carolina, Buffalo, Tennessee and Atlanta. 62 games, 1 start. #9sports

— MikeKlis9NEWS (@mikeklis9news) June 13, 2024

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A 2018 seventh-round pick, Smith is on to his fifth team in seven years after stints in Carolina, Buffalo, Tennessee, and, most recently, Atlanta, where he made his first career start. The North Carolina product has totaled 52 tackles, two forced fumbles, and a pair of fumble recoveries across 62 games, appearing primarily on special teams.

"Two-down inside linebacker with a severe case of thumps who looks to impose his will against ball carriers as often as possible," reads Smith's pre-draft scouting profile.

Smith, 27, joins a Broncos ILB unit comprised of vets Alex Singleton, Cody Barton, Jonas Griffith, and Justin Strnad, and undrafted rookies Levelle Bailey and Alec Mock.

Head coach Sean Payton said Tuesday that Barton, Griffith, and Bailey are in an open competition for the starting job opposite Singleton.

"All three of those guys are competing at Mike," Payton told reporters. "We’re rotating their reps, much the same way [as we are at] quarterback. We’ll continue to do that.”

Smith is unlikely to change that equation, but his presence could spell bad news for Strnad, another ace special-teamer who offers little in the way of defensive help.

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